MOST people in the Diaspora feel a mixed bag of emotions when they prepare to go home.
There is a feeling of joy that they are going home but the thought of some unsmiling immigration and some bribe-demanding customs officers at the Harare International Airport makes the whole trip sickening.
Every Diasporan loves his country and cherishes the trip home, but our immigration officers and other staff at the airport are so unfriendly and treat their fellow countrymen visiting home as enemies.
It begins with delays at the entry point, not because there is a lot of people, but it is just a ploy to get the ‘visitors’ frustrated and ‘ripen’ them to pay anything requested.
It normally takes about two hours to be served at the entry point.
Once you produce a foreign passport, sometimes you will be made to regret ever speaking in Shona.
People from the Diaspora are not seeking any special treatment, but that they be treated as human beings.
The officers address you as if they are addressing children, there is no respect and any word one says is regarded as provocation.
The reception is just a nightmare that is giving our international airport a bad name.
The officers, when delivering service, appear as if they have been forced to come to work.
The first point of call is not encouraging and something has to be done.
A visitor was recently asked to pay US$20 if he wanted to pass without having his bag opened.
When he refused, the man was kept at the airport for about three hours while the officer checked the prices of clothes in his bag, which were not even new.
It was a punitive delay.
Most of the officers seem not to know how to smile and nothing polite comes out of their mouths.
If nothing is done at the airports, the number of visitors will dwindle.
When you get into town, the situation is different.
There is an exhilarating pace in Harare’s Central Business District (CBD).
There is a lot of energy and buzz; vitality is everywhere and if only this life could be reflected at the airport, coming home would be a pleasant experience.
Hey! When the train starts its full operation and when the streets are arranged for pedestrians and cars, and are cleared of potholes; when electric power and water problems are resolved, Harare will catch up with the 21st Century cities.
Many people will agree that there are some corrupt police officers in Harare.
Every driver has had an encounter with these.
And the moment you produce a foreign driver’s licence, problems begin.
The daring ones get into your car and order you to drive to a ‘safe’ place where they begin the extortion process.
The country has improved and continues to improve.
Most importantly, Zimbabwe has become a better country by striving for change every day both on the economic and political fronts.
We have a lot to do together and we must support our people and country for a better place for ourselves and the next generations.
As usual, going home is more fun than returning to the cold Diaspora.
Our brothers and sisters at ports of entry must make coming home a pleasant experience, not a dreadful one.
We must not be punished for visiting the only country we call home in the whole world.
For views and comments, email: vazet2000@yahoo.co.uk